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Does anyone have experience with Braftovi and Mektovi after Opdualag?

A MyMelanomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
Union, KY

My husband (71) was diagnosed in stage IV about a year ago with all lymph nodes from neck to groin as cancerous plus brain mets. He took 9 immunotherapy treatments and then 5 SRS sessions. His doctor has now stopped the immunotherapy and started him on Braftovi and Mektovi. We’re trying to understand what this means for his cancer journey. His last PET scan showed the tumors shrinking slightly in some area but also growing slightly in other areas. How likely is it that the targeted therapy will… read more

September 21, 2024
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MyMelanomaTeam

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. Here's some information based on my knowledge base:

Braftovi (Encorafenib) and Mektovi (Binimetinib)
- Braftovi is a kinase inhibitor that targets the BRAF V600E mutation, slowing down or stopping cancer progression
- Mektovi is also a kinase inhibitor, used in Show Full Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. Here's some information based on my knowledge base:

Braftovi (Encorafenib) and Mektovi (Binimetinib)
- Braftovi is a kinase inhibitor that targets the BRAF V600E mutation, slowing down or stopping cancer progression.
- Mektovi is also a kinase inhibitor, used in combination with Braftovi to treat unresectable or metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600E or V600K mutations.

Treatment Context
- Combination Therapy: Braftovi and Mektovi are often used together to enhance effectiveness.
- Effectiveness: These targeted therapies can help increase life expectancy, especially in stage IV melanoma. However, most people eventually experience tumor progression.

Side Effects
- Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and joint pain.
- Rare but serious side effects can include new primary cancers and increased cell numbers.

Quality of Life
- The term "quality of life" suggests that the treatment aims to manage symptoms and maintain a better standard of living rather than solely focusing on extending life.

Prognosis
- While targeted therapies like Braftovi and Mektovi can provide additional time, the exact duration varies. The oncologist's mention of "quality of life" indicates a focus on symptom management and comfort.

Current Time Awareness
- As of today, Sunday, September 22nd, 2024, it's important to stay in close communication with your husband's healthcare team to monitor his response to the new treatment and adjust as necessary.

I hope this information helps you understand the current treatment plan and what to expect.

September 21, 2024

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